Selective locking-key.



J. F. CADELL.

SELECTIVE LOCKING KEY. APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1907.

955,134. I Patented Apr. 19,1910.

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Snuenfoz Q/Vilmmoeo thefollo is a drawing. 7 Myinvention relates to selective locking -"To an whom it may concern.

keys for use in UNITED 3031' I. CAbtIJ-L'Ol' BLII'I'IIORE, mrmn,

10 m FORTH WC COHPAN Y, OF cmwmlm,

OHIO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGIOL BY mun 'ASSIGNIEH'IS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF SELECTIVE LOOKING-m.

Application fled Iay 20, 1907. Serial Io. 874,644.

telephone circuits, and 1t 'sts in the combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

. operating p tion of the cam member. Fig.

The principal object of m invention is to provide a sat of indicating eys having few and of simple construction, with means for locking a key in its depressed 'tion to maintain a contact closed, and for simultaneously releasing another ke of the set, which has been similarly locked: to open its contact.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for adjusting the position of the various key buttons relative to one another. In the ordinary form of key set it often happens that when the various buttons have been screwed down tight on the plungers, the letters or indicatin characters on theends of the buttons are ioundto be at various angles with respect to each other, thus presenting an unsightly appearance. My invention pro 'des means for readily adjusting the angular position'of any one of the plungers so as to bring the indicating character into its normal, vertical, position parallel with the others of the set, while at the same time preventin the plungers from turning any further in t eir bearings.

A further object of my invention is to provide a locking key set with a locking bar whichcan be readily and quickly removed orreplaced without dismantling the set.

Othenobiects andadvantageswill appear in the detailed description of the device as hereinafter set forth.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in Which- F 1 is an elevational .view showing one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, certain parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view showing a modifica- 5 is an end view of the parts shown in Flg. 4, the locking rod-being shown in section.

- top to the accompanying opposite side Referring to 1 and 2- 1 denotes the member, 2 an 2' the end members and Patented Apr. 19, 1910. i

3 and-3' the side members of a metal frame. The top members 1 and the two side members 3 and. 3 have rectangular perforations 4 and 5, respectively, at each end, through which the ears 6 on the end' members project, the

ends of said ears being upset to rivet the parts together.

Between the side members-there is placed an insulating strip-7, and projecting through this insulating strip and carried thereby are the contact springs 8 with their respective anvils 9. Screws 10 pass through perforations in the members 3 and through the insulating 7 and enga ecorresponding threaded openings in the ot er side members 3 to securely bind said partstogether.

Each key 1n the set comprises a cylindrical plunger- 11 ha an enlarged upper end to which is see a button 13 of the usual form and which is designed to bear some character or figure on its face, the various characters of the set indicatin their respective contacts.- The upper e1 rged part of the plunger 11 passes throu han opening in the upper plate 1 and the ower portion thereof enters an opening ing strip 7. The plunger is arranged to reciprocate in these opemngs, being hmited in its downward movement by the screw 10 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A rec bl k 15, having an opening 16 through which the plunger 11 is adapted to pas, is provided on one side with an mt al lug or stop.17,'the upper edge of said ug constituting a shoulder while the lower side is beveled to form a'cam surface hereinafter set forth. On the of the block from the 1351 12 is an insulating cam member 18, adap to engage the spring 8, to fprce the spring against its A. set screw '19 passes through a threaded opening .in the block and is adapted to engage the lunger 11 whereb the block may be secure y fastened to the atter. A coiled spring 20 surrounds the lunger and bears at its upper end on the lock 15 and at its lower end on the insulating strip 7. This spring keeps the plunger in its normally raised position with the upper end of the block 15 abutting against the top g late 1.

As shown in ig. 2 the and members 2 and 2 have an extended side 2" provided for a purpose 14 in the insulat h with a slot 2' Theend member 2 is also provided with a p'in21 while the opposite end member 2" carries a leaf spring '22.

A locking rod 23 provided with stop pins 24 is adapted to reciprocate in the slots 2" and one end of the leaf spring22 is formed into a hook adapted to engage a pin.25 on the rod to normally keep the pins 24 in contact'with the blocks 15.

The operation of the above described device will be readily understood. On the depression of one .of the buttons, its plunger will descend until its lower end is stopped by the screw 10. The lower cam surface of the lug 17 engages the pin 24 and moves the rod 23 to the left in Fig. 1) against the action 0 the spring 22. As soon as the pin 24 reaches the upper surface of the lug the rod springs back to its original position, the key being locked by the engagement of the rod with the shoulder of the lug. The insulating cam member 18 engages the bent upper end of the spring contact 8 and forces the latter against its anvil 9 to close the contact. If now a second key is depressed the rod 23 will be again moved until the pin 24 which engages the block 15 of the locked key is moved off the end of the engaging lug, thereby releasing the key and permitting it to assume its normal osition under the action of the spring 20. hen the pressure is relieved from the second key it will return until its lug is enga ed by the stop pin 24 and the second key wi 1 now be locked m a manner similar to that already described.

In Figs. 4 and 5 there is shown a modification 0 the insulating cam member 18. In this case the block 15 has a pair of laterally projecting ears 26 having perforations 27 1n which is secured a pintle 28 bearing an insulating cam roller 18'. The latter form of cam member has this advantage over that shown in Fig. 1 in that there is a rolling contact instead of a sliding contact, thus avoiding wear and cutting due to friction.

I desire to call particular attention to the fact that the use of the block 15 has a number of im ortant advantages. It will be noted that y merel loosening the set screw 19 any button may e rotated and the indicating character on the face of said button there y adjusted. Moreover, the buttons can be. perfectly alined so that one will not project out farther from the frame than another, since the loosening of the set screw 19 will permit the plunger to be raised or lowered as desired. The set screw 19 may be screwed down hard on the plunger to limit the movement of the latter when actuated by the spring 20 as heretofore described. An inspection of Fig. 5 will show that the block'15 has one face abutting against one side of the locking bar 23. This prevents any tendency of the plunger to rotate in its bearing after it has been once firmlysecured to the block.

In assembling the parts after the frame has been put together the plungers 11 are passed through the openingsin the upper plate, and then through the blocks 15. he springs 20 are put in place and the blocks 15 are firmly secured to the plunger rods. The end of the bar 23 is inserted in the slot 2 underneath the pin 21 and the other end placed in its slot with the pin 25 under the hook of spring 22, as shown in Fi 1. In withdrawing the bar of course this operation is reversed. .When the bar is withdrawn it will be observed that the keyset may be used as a non-locking set where any one of a number of circuits is designed to be closed momentarily and to be opened on the release of the button.

It will be observed that this key set can be used in circuits in which a master contact is closed on the depression of any one of the keys, by arranging such a contact adjacent to the end of the locking bar 23 toward the left of Fig. 1. The depression of any one of the ke s will then force the locking bar to close t is master contact when a pm 24 is. near the outer edge of its lug 17. After the pin 24 has ridden over the end of the lug 17 and enga es the upper surface of the lug the locking ar 23 Wlll be retracted far enough to open the master contact while still keeping closed the contact between the spring 8 and the anvil 9.

Other modifications will be apparent on inspection of the device. I therefore do not wish to limit myself to the construction herein s ecifically described but desire to claim all such modifications as fairly fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a selective locking key, a frame, a series of spring actuated plungers adapted to reciprocate in said frame, a cam memberwith a flat back on each plunger, contacts adapted to be closed u on engagement with said cam members, an means for locking a v plunger in depressed position, said means engaging the backs of all the plunger cams to keep them from rotating.

2. In a selective locking key, a frame, a series of adjustable springactuated plungers adapted to reciprocate 1n said frame, and

havmg adjustable cam members serving as guides, spring contacts adapted to be closed upon engagement with said cam members, and means for locking a plunger in its depressed position, said means operating to release one plunger when a second plunger is depressed, and also cooperating with the cam gulde to keep the plungers from rotating.

3. In a selective locking key, a frame, a series of spring actuated cylindrical plunting rotative. and axial.

forat'ed insulating strip i sai plungers, p ng gers cai'ried'by said frame, means permitadjustment of the plungers, contacts adapted-to be closed upon ment; with said cam members, means forloeking a plungerin its depressed position, s'aid jmeansoperating to release the j first plunger when a second plunger is depressed and to lock the latter.

. 4. In a selective-locking key, a frame comprising a to'p member provided with opem 1 end-members and side members, a perbetween said side members, a series of spring actuated plunge'rs ada ted to reci rocate through the openings in said top p ate and the perforameans permittions in said insulating strip,

tin the axial and rotative adjustment of cam members carriedby said contacts adapted to be closed upon engagement with saidcam members, means for locking a plunger; in its depressed pos1-- tion, said means operating to release the tative and axia with each first plunger when a second plunger is depressed and to lock the latter.

5. In a selective key set, a frame comprising a to member rovided with openings, end mem ers and side members, a perforated insulating strip between said side members, a series of spring actuated plunger-s adapted to reciprocate through the openings in said to plate and the perforations in said insuatmg strip, a rectangular block secured to each plunger and movable with-respect thereto to permit axial and rotative adj ustment of said plunger, a cam member carrie by said block, and contact springs adapted to be actuated by said cam member.

6. In a selective key set, a frame com-prising a topmmember rovided with openings end mem I'S andsi e members, a perforate insulating strip between said side members, a series of spring actuated plungers adapted to reciprocate through the openings in said to plate and the perforations in saidinsu atmg stri a rectangular block associated unger, provided with an opening throug which said plunger is adapted to pass, lockin means permitting the rowith respect to said block, means carried by said block on one side thereof for engaging a contact spring, a stop carried on the other side of said block, and a universal locking bar provided with a in adapted to engage said stop to lock said plunger in its depressed position. v

v 7. In a selective lpcking key, a frame com prising a top member having openin s, end members and side members, a per orated insulating strip between said side members, common securing means for said side members and said insulating strip, a series of plungers adapted to reciprocate through the openings in said top member and the perforations in said insulating strip, each plunadjustment of said plunger gzr comprising a cylindrical rod, said rod aring a rectangularblock provided with a set screw for permitting axial. and rotative adjustment of said rod with respect to said. block and having an. insulating cam member on one side thereof, and an integral laterally projecting lug on the contact adap with said insulating cam'member, a universal locking bar having a in adapted to be engaged by the projecting ug to lock said plunger in its depressed position, said locking bar also thereupon operating torelease a plunger previously de ressed. 8. In a selective loclring key, a frame comprising a top member having a series of openings, slotted end members and. side members, a pivoted insulating. strip between said side members, common securing means for said side members and said insulating strip, a universal locking bar adapted to reciprocate in the slots in said'end members, plunger-s ada ted to reciprocate through the openings in said top members and the perforations in said insulating member, and means whereby on the depression-of one of said plunger-s said locking bar 0 erates to lock said plunger in its depressed position and to release a previously depressed plun- 9. In a selective locking key, a frame comprising a top member having a series of openings, slotted end members and side members, a spring operated universal locking bar disposed in said slots. and adapted to reciprocate therein, plungers carried by said frame, each plunger being provided with a rectangular .block disposedther'eon, said block having a laterally extending lug provided with a. lower cam surface and an upper surface constituting a shoulder, pins carried by said locking bar adapted to be engaged by said lower cam surface of said lugs whereby on the depression of a plunger said locking bar will be moved against the action of its spring, and said plunger will be locked on engagement of said pin with the upper surface of said lug, the movement of said lug effecting in the meantime the release of a previously depressed plunger.

10. In a selective lockingl key, a frame comprising a top member aving a series of openings, slotted cnd members-and side members, aperforated insulati strip between said side members, said si e members and said-insulating strip being held by a common securing means, a spring actuated locking bar adapted to reciprocate in the slots in said end members and being provided with pins, a series of spring actuated lungers adapted to reciprocate in the openings in said top member and in the perforations in said insulating strip, each plunger having disposed thereon a rectangular block provided with a set screw to permit axial other side thereof, a ted to be closed by engagement-- constituting a shoul and rotat-ive adjustment of said plunger with respect to said block, an insulatm cam member carried on one side of said lock, contact s rings adapted to be enga d" by said insu ating cam member,.a latera 1y ex tendin inte ral lug on the opposite side of sai bloc the uipper face of said lug er-and the lower face of said lug constituting a cam surface adapted to engage a pin on said locking bar to move the latter against the action of its spring, said pin operating to lock said plunger in its depressed condition by the engagement with the upper surface of said lug, thereby maintaining the contact closed, the movement of said bar against its spring at the same time effecting the release of a previously depressed plunger.

11. In a selective locking key, a rectangular frame having a top and a bottom member and side members, a series of spring actuated plungers arranged for reciprocation in slots in said top and bottom members, contacts adapted to be closed by the depression of said plungers and means for securin said plungers in the frame with rotary an longitudinal adjustments and also for permitting the withdrawal or the insertion of any one or all of said plungers without dismantling the frame.

12. In a selective locking key, a rectangular frame having a top and a bottom mem her and side members, a series of spring actuatedplungers arranged for reciprocation in slots in said top and bottom members, contact springs, a locking bar, means detachably secured with rotary and axial adjustment to each of said pl ers for operating said contact springs an said 100 ing bar and for permitting the withdrawal of said plunger without dismantling the frame.

13. A locking key comprising the following instrumentalitles: a frame" having a flat top plate, sprin pressed plungers working through said p ate, with button heads above the same and shanks below; sets of contact springs associated with the respective shanks below the plate, and a locking bar extending along one side of the shanks, also below the plate and having a perpendicular stud extending across one side of each shank; the latter having a friction roller on one side to engage the contact springs when it is depressed, and a cam faced lockin tooth on the other to engage the said stud? In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses' JOHN F. CADELL.

Witnesses:

O. F. FRENCH, M. E. GILSON. 

